Dutch police utilized tear gas and water cannons to control aggressive anti-immigration protesters in The Hague on Saturday, leading to violent clashes that saw thirty arrests and injuries to two officers. Approximately 1,500 demonstrators blocked a major highway, escalating the protest to a point where a police vehicle was set ablaze.
In response to the unrest, Prime Minister Dick Schoof labeled the scenes 'shocking' and 'completely unacceptable'. Right-wing leader Geert Wilders, known for his influential stance on immigration, was invited to address the crowd but distanced himself from the violence, condemning it as 'the work of idiots'.
The protest was sparked by calls for stricter migration policies and a crackdown on asylum seekers, organized by anti-immigration activists from the far-right. Tensions rose when protesters, many waving Dutch and far-right flags, confronted police.
Protesters also vandalized the headquarters of the center-left D66 party, considered by many on the far right as representatives of a progressive elite. D66 leader Rob Jetten voiced strong opposition against such intimidation tactics and emphasized the need for resilience against extremist actions.
This event unfolds amidst a backdrop of heightened political strife in the Netherlands, following the collapse of the government in June after Wilders withdrew his party from the ruling coalition over migration disagreements. These political dynamics set the stage for an upcoming election on October 29, where immigration policies are expected to take center stage.
